Mad Maherelen: A World of Adventure

Salix Babylonika · 2016-12-11 18:26:42

You're awoken by the sound of the ship pulling into dock. The clanking of chains meets a loud, heavy foghorn of some type off in the distance.

You stir, and unexpectedly, one of the guards--a great four-armed ogre--beckons you, and some others, from your bed, or whatever passes for it.

"Come, you lot. Your release has been paid by a patron, they await you on shore." He insists with a grunt, gently prodding you with the handle of his halberd as you rise.

You're lead off the boat that has been your life for some hellish months, and into a small accounting house. The bronze spider-headed automaton plinking away at a typewriter looks you up and down, seeming thoroughly unimpressed.

"Name?" It inquires.

Yarrun XIX · 2016-12-11 18:54:10

N simply reaches over the top of the typewriter and presses the 'N' key.

Salix Babylonika · 2016-12-11 18:59:10

The automaton looks offended that N dared to touch its typewriter, but ultimately it produces a whirring noise, the equivalent of a sigh perhaps.

"Fair enough."

"Next!" It hollers.

LOAD Cherry · 2016-12-11 22:29:11

Dal struts up to the automaton and announces herself. "Thaumaturgy Unit: Dal."

Salix Babylonika · 2016-12-11 22:31:55

The Spider-Head plinks away at its typewriter.

"Move along. You and he are together" It gestures to N.

"Next!" It shouts.

LOAD Cherry · 2016-12-11 22:35:34

Dal shuffles over next to N, crossing her arms, her ceramic fingers fidgeting with the fabric of her prison garb. "What do you think we're here for?"

Yarrun XIX · 2016-12-11 22:52:52

"A thaumaturgy unit and a multiverse-class shade thief?" N says, his accent faintly resembling what a Earthworlder would call German. "We've been sold to some eccentric tycoon who thinks convicts under duress are good employees." He gives a reluctant sigh and shakes his head. "Just keep your head down and try to make a profit once things go to hell".

Salix Babylonika · 2016-12-11 23:59:36

Dal and N make their way to the docks, where they are waved over by a gray-skinned dwarf.

"Just the two of you then? Mr. Greevil ordered you as a unit, wasn't sure how many there'd be." The dwarf compulsively checks over his shoulder every few seconds, and rubs his watch--large, and made of a shining silvery metal--nervously.

LOAD Cherry · 2016-12-12 00:53:37

"It would seem it's just us two, for now." Dal states, now fiddling with her long black hair.

Salix Babylonika · 2016-12-12 00:57:53

"Alright. Mr. Greevil will be-"

"Already here, Shamon." A deep, gurgling rumble of a voice speaks out, cutting through the noise of the dock, and the more distant clatter of the city ahead.

A figure steps into view, from where, you can't quite say. The figure is clad in thick layers of silk finery, and a cigar dangles out of the shadow cast by its enormous, dark red cap. It extends a hand, its skin is dark green, and it has just four fingers, which taper off in a way that looks rather unnervingly tentacle-like.

"Your employer, gentlemen." It gurgles. "I am Molace Greevil. CEO of Greevil Acquisitions. I've paid your bail and had your sentences indefinitely suspended. In return, you'll work for me." A puff of thick cigar smoke bellows out from the shadow. The figure's eyes are visible, and they burn a sickly yellow, like twin tiny nuclear reactors.

Yarrun XIX · 2016-12-12 01:10:47

N peers into the darkness for a few moments before giving a resounding nod, apparently pleased with whatever he saw. He takes the hand, not flinching at the undulating touch.

"N. I hope our work relationship is agreeable."

Salix Babylonika · 2016-12-12 01:14:46

"As do I."

Greevil adjusts his(?) hat, revealing his face, or what passes for it. His head is knobby and the same shade of dark green, and a morass of tentacles hangs off of it like a beard. They twitch and squirm, seemingly unconsciously. He has two mouths, one slightly larger than the other, and both off center from the middle of his face. He wraps two of his fingers around his cigar and takes another puff, the smoke pouring out of his other mouth, which opens to speak.

"I was told I'd be receiving a small group of very special convicts. "Two" is not what I had in mind when I heard small, but, quality over quantity, as they say."

LOAD Cherry · 2016-12-12 01:47:35

"Given the nature of our sentences, I think you'll find the quality of your purchase to your liking, Mr. Greevil." Dal elocutes. "That said, I remain curious as to why you felt the need to purchase our release?"

Salix Babylonika · 2016-12-12 01:50:52

"Ah, how might I describe my business and the employees I seek for it?"

Greevil takes another puff of his cigar, and fiddles with his tentacle-beard.

"Allow me to answer your question with one of my own. This city--fair port of Maherelen--what do you know of it?"

((All players may choose to make an Intelligence check.))

((TUTORIAL: To make an Intelligence check, roll a 20-sided die, and add your Intelligence score to the result))

Salix Babylonika · 2016-12-12 11:16:57

The two of you ponder.

You've definitely heard the name before, something about an interdimensional port city? Infamously lax law-wise if you recall.

Most people have at least heard of Maherelen, but you must admit, you'd be hard pressed to state much else.

Yarrun XIX · 2016-12-12 11:41:13

"That it's supposed to be a good place for my kind, but the competition's so ruthless that it's better to keep your distance. Taken a few jobs from there though."

Salix Babylonika · 2016-12-12 17:24:16

Greevil chuckles a gurgly chuckle. He seems perhaps, bemused.

"Is that so? Well, you'll be taking many more from now on. Great Maherelen is a city of little order. Except what one imposes upon it."

Another puff of his cigar causes smoke to pour out of his off-mouth. "You will be imposing order, in a sense. My order."

Yarrun XIX · 2016-12-12 17:43:56

N pauses, his face twitching, before giving a low whistle.

Well, Maherelen's a beautiful city, so I've heard. There are worse places to shuffle off the mortal coil.

LOAD Cherry · 2016-12-13 06:02:50

"Your order? Hope you don't mind me asking what all that entails, mister?" Dal asks, confrontationally.

Salix Babylonika · 2016-12-14 07:46:05

Greevil lets out a hearty, gurgly belly-laugh.

"If I were to leave it to those who are supposed to do it, I think we'd find order of any sort would be in short supply indeed."

"We should depart. Shamon! Bring the car around front." The dwarf scampers off without a word.

Salix Babylonika · 2016-12-16 03:45:19

"His name is Walhir, calls himself 'The Great Mystic.'" Greevil explains, now speaking out of his other mouth, this one with a higher, slightly more raspy tone of voice, and a bit more of an accent albeit one neither of you can place.

The two of you are in Greevil's car. The mysterious businessman sits in the front passenger seat, next to his driver, the meek dwarf Shamon. He continues to explain the details of your first job. "I don't need him dead or anything of the sort, but he has been peddling fake magic rocks on the street corners of....my part of the city." Another puff of smoke wafts up from Greevil's face. "Claims they're fragments of a powerful transmuter's lifestone. They're no such thing, I'm an expert on such matters."

Yarrun XIX · 2016-12-16 03:57:06

"And if, by misadventure or intention, he ends up dead?"

Salix Babylonika · 2016-12-16 03:58:36

"I would be displeased, but not excessively so."

LOAD Cherry · 2016-12-16 06:40:22

"How would you have us handle the situation then?" Dal inquired. "Our gifts aren't suited for hired thugs, so I doubt we're here to intimidate him by force. So then we must persuade him in some other fashion, am I mistaken?"

Salix Babylonika · 2016-12-17 02:19:00

"By whatever means you deem necessary and appropriate. You must recall, construct, that I was not given in-depth information about your capabilities. Merely that you were quite skilled."

"You may consider this job a test, of sorts."

Yarrun XIX · 2016-12-17 02:27:20

"Sink or swim, then. Either way, it's better than the barge."

Salix Babylonika · 2016-12-17 02:41:35

"I would agree."

The car finally comes to a stop in front of a high-rise building. The structure appears to be made of bronze or some other gleaming metal, and a sigil cast in a turquoise-colored stone adorns the very top.

"Greevil Acquisitions HQ." He explains.

"Before you go on your mission, you should take the time to acquaint yourself with your new living quarters. We have, of course, on-site dorms." Greevil rises to exit the vehicle.

"I have other business to attend to. Shamon and my other assistants will show you to your rooms, and then give you what you need to begin your first mission. Do not fail."

Yarrun XIX · 2016-12-17 02:52:23

N waits until Greevil leaves before cocking his head towards Dal.

"Room and board. He's one of the good ones."

LOAD Cherry · 2016-12-17 05:10:54

Dal shrugs dismissively. "As long as we're not on that damned ship, I don't care if I have to sleep in a refrigerator box. That said, it's nice to have living space, I admit.

Salix Babylonika · 2016-12-19 07:59:09

As you exit the car, your patron is nowhere to be found.

Shamon quickly escorts you into the highrise, then into an elevator. After a long ride, you reach what you assume to be the dorms.

You're taken to Room 403, where the dwarf explains you will be living during your tenure. The room is quite compact, a combination living/bedroom (with, curiously enough, four beds) adjoining a kitchen and small bathroom, and not much else.

"Mr. Greevil wants you on the corner within the hour. We have a general idea as to Walhir's current location. When you're ready, meet me back downstairs. I'll be driving you, of course." The dwarf hurries off.

Yarrun XIX · 2016-12-19 08:17:47

N immediately starts casing the kitchen for sharp objects.

Salix Babylonika · 2016-12-19 08:19:55

N finds a few things, but most prominently a small knife. Clean, utility-oriented, and made of a strong, simple metal.

[N Gains: Knife]

Yarrun XIX · 2016-12-19 08:52:56

He tucks it away in in the waistband of his prison garb.

"Hey, Dally, you think he put uniforms or something in here? No one's going to take us seriously if we look like we just got out of prison."

Salix Babylonika · 2016-12-23 16:57:02

After searching for some time, you come across plain black shirts and slacks. Civilianwear, you suppose. Two large coats, too.

LOAD Cherry · 2016-12-23 18:09:10

"I suppose this ought to do." Dal takes off her prison uniform and changes into the shirt and slacks in the closet, leaving behind the coat.

After donning her slightly less conspicuous garb, she scouts the room for books or perhaps a computer

Yarrun XIX · 2016-12-23 18:19:11

N dips off into the bathroom to change.

Salix Babylonika · 2016-12-23 20:07:42

Dal finds no computers per se, but she does happen across a small handheld device that somewhat resembles a calculator.

Books are nowhere to be found here.

LOAD Cherry · 2016-12-23 21:14:26

Dal inspects the calculator like device, hoping to understand its function

Salix Babylonika · 2016-12-23 21:18:30

As she picks it up, the device briefly flickers to life before shutting off again.

Shaking it reveals a rattling noise. The device is evidently broken.

It's small--palm-sized easily, for an average human at least--with a small display screen and a 4x3 grid of buttons. Each is labeled with a symbol, but beyond that their functions are non-obvious.

There are also two additional buttons on the bottom of the device, labeled "<" and ">" respectively.

LOAD Cherry · 2016-12-23 21:20:45

Dal pockets the device, deciding to fix it when she has the time and tools.

Salix Babylonika · 2016-12-23 21:23:07

[Dal Gains: Broken ???]

Mad Maherelen: A World of Adventure

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